In 1898, a St. Petersburg insurance company purchased and began renovation of a hotel in the centre of Moscow on Teatralnaya Ploschad, or Theatre Square. Muscovites called it "Tchelishi" after its ex-owner, the builder and Merchant of the First Guild Paul Tchelishev. The rights to refurbish the building and run the hotel were acquired by the Northern Building Society, founded by the famous entrepreneur and patron of the arts Savva Mamontov.

Hotel Metropol, Moscow

View from Bolshoi Theatre

Hotel Metropol, Moscow

In early 1905 Moscow's papers announced the opening of the hotel and the restaurant: "The hotel and restaurant "Metropol" are due to open at the House of St.Peterburg Insurance Society on Teatralnaya square starting February 20. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Famous chamber music orchestra from Paris conducted by Mr. Georges."